My name is Vicki Kennedy. Originally from New Zealand, I graduated with a Diploma as a registered comprehensive Nurse in 1989. In New Zealand I practiced nursing in an Acute Surgical unit, Post-Partum, Long-Term Care and as a Practice Nurse in Primary Care. I graduated with a Degree in Nursing before my husband, our three boys and I moved to Saskatoon, Canada in 2002.

As a Registered Nurse I was contracted for one year to work in a tertiary Acute Medical unit for Saskatoon Health Region. Our family applied for Canadian Permanent Residency and I became a permanent Full-Time employee (we have since obtained dual citizenship in Canada). In 2005 I was offered the position of COPD Clinician in the new Saskatoon Health Region Live Well COPD program. In this role, I became a Certified Respiratory Educator. In 2013 I graduated with a Masters Degree in Nursing from the University of Saskatchewan.

Seeking a more temperate climate, mountains, water and a sense of being ‘closer to home’ we moved to the Okanagan in 2014 where I was hired by Interior Health as a Residential Care Coordinator at Polson Residential in Vernon. I have also held the position of Community Integrated Care Coordinator of the Vernon Downtown Primary Care and Diabetes Education Center.

I have recently changed positions and am now practicing as a Regional Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care. In addition to my Full-Time position with Interior Health, I am also on the Lung Association Faculty facilitating RESPTREC™ courses when needed. I like walking, skiing, Zumba and my husband and I plan on getting kayaks to enjoy the surrounding lakes.